Fruit flavoring in the image of a fruit portion stored with a vessel for flavoring a fluid

ABSTRACT

An assembly and method are provided for storing and dispensing a soluble substance, such as a flavoring, into a liquid. A useful application of the subject invention includes the case where lime-flavored liquid is contained in a foam artificial lime stored in the neck of a beer bottle, attached to a beer bottle or can, or attached to the 6-pack or 12-pack carton. The artificial lime may be retrieved from the neck or a protective covering and acted upon so it diffuses the lime-flavored liquid into the beer when it is inserted into the beer bottle. Alternately, juice from the artificial lime may be squeezed into the beer, or the artificial lime may be simply retrieved and discarded. Rather than needing to buy a natural lime, cut it up and push a wedge into a beer bottle, an artificial lime, or a packaged natural lime, may be stored directly in or with the beer bottle and placed in functional contact with the beer at time of consumption.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of this invention is devices associated with flavoring abottled beverage.

BACKGROUND

One often wishes to use another liquid or flavoring with their beverage,where it is undesirable or inconvenient to premix the liquid orflavoring with the beverage. As examples, there is lemon or milk withtea, citrus fruit flavored liquids with beer, juices with alcoholicbeverages, alcohol with soft drinks, etc. In many cases, particularlywith prepackaged beverages, the purchaser of the prepackaged beverage isnot located at a place where the other liquid or flavoring isconveniently accessible.

Many popular beverages are served in a bottle. For example, when certainbrands of beer, especially Mexican beers, are served it is common to adda flavoring, such as a wedge or slice of lime. For instance, when apatron at a bar orders a Corona Extra® (www.corona.com), a Pacifico®beer (www.gmodelo.com.mx/eng/marcas/pacifico.html) or a Dos Equis® beer(www.dosxx.com), the beer is frequently served with a natural lime sliceinserted into the neck of the opened bottle. This scenario is adequatewhen one has easy access to natural limes. However, as is often thecase, one buys a bottle of beer in a store or gets one from theirrefrigerator and does not have a natural lime handy. For such situationsit would be convenient to have the lime or an equivalent packaged withthe bottle. Since natural limes do not store indefinitely, analternative is to package an artificial lime containing lime-flavoredliquid, optionally from concentrate and optionally with preservatives,with the bottle of beer. Another popular American beer, WidmerHefeweizen® (www.widmer.com), is often consumed with lemon. In thiscase, it would be convenient to have an artificial lemon containinglemon-flavored liquid packaged with the beer.

RELEVANT LITERATURE

Luzenberg, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,012, describes a porous plasticdispensing article. Luzenberg, U.S. Pat. No. 6,541,055, describes aporous plastic dispensing article. Gibler, U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,141,describes a beverage storage and mixing device. Anderson, U.S. Pat. No.6,886,686, describes a dispensing capsule for a liquid container.Anderson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,471, describes a dispensing capsule for aliquid container. DiPalma, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,142, describes adevice for storing two products separately and subsequently mixing them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention provides a combination of a beverage liquid in asealed vessel and a flavoring, such as an ancillary liquid or solublesubstance, accompanying the vessel in a convenient form for admixing theflavoring with the beverage liquid upon opening the vessel. Typicallythe flavoring is stored with or in relation to the vessel and used inconjunction with the beverage liquid contained therein. When theflavoring is an ancillary liquid typically it is stored in a container,that may be frangible or breachable, that is connected to and separablefrom the support for the container. The support is removably in contactwith the vessel. Conveniently, the container is housed in a foamhousing, desirably in the image or form of a portion of a fruit,including but not limited to a citrus fruit, including but not limitedto a lime or lemon wedge or slice. Using the image (such as the size,shape, texture and color) of a portion of a fruit, a desiredorganoleptic response is typically generated similar to that generatedby a natural portion of a fruit. The housing may also be comprised ofrubber, plastic, fabric or other convenient material. The housing maycomprise pores, valves, channels, holes, or any convenient means forcontrolling or regulating the rate whereby the flavoring may escape andmix with the beverage liquid. When the flavoring comprises a solublesubstance it may comprise elastic or foam properties. Typically it ispressed through a vessel opening so it makes contact with the beverageliquid and the soluble substance may begin to dissolve. Such a flavoringmay be stored in a protective covering that may be transparent oropaque. The protective covering may comprise foil, plastic, glass or anyconvenient sanitizable covering material.

When a fruit portion comprises a soluble material, the fruit portion maybe made entirely of soluble material or it may be made from non-solublefoam, rubber, plastic, fabric and the like and contain the solublematerial along with pores, valves, holes, mesh passageways, and the liketo allow beverage liquid to flow over and/or otherwise mix with thesoluble material. Typically, the fruit portion is stored in a protectivecovering comprising foil, plastic, fabric, glass, paper, cardboard, andthe like, or any other convenient sanitizable, breachable material. Theprotective covering may be transparent, opaque or translucent. Aconvenient embodiment comprises a non-soluble foam or mesh fruit wedge,including but not limited to a lime wedge or slice, comprising solublematerial, including but not limited to impregnated soluble flavoringbeads or granules, and stored in a tearable foil protective coveringadhered to a beverage bottle or can. The non-soluble foam or mesh fruitwedge may also form a housing into which one or more soluble flavoringtablets is inserted. The housing may be elastic. The housing may be asack or pouch. The housing may comprise one or more pockets forinserting flavored soluble tablets, beads or granules. The tearable foilprotective covering may comprise a perforation to facilitate breaching.Typically, the tearable foil protective covering is torn open, and thenon-soluble foam or mesh fruit wedge containing the one or more solubletablets is removed from the tearable foil protective covering anddropped into, or otherwise introduced into, a beverage bottle or can. Asthe consumer consumes the beverage liquid, the beverage liquid passesthrough the non-soluble foam or mesh fruit wedge and over the one ormore soluble tablets, thus dissolving a portion of the one or moresoluble tablets and thereby mixing the intended flavoring with thebeverage liquid during consumption. The size, surface area and number oftablets may be selected based on their dissolution rate and the amountof flavoring desired.

An apparatus is employed for storing a soluble substance, usually fruitflavored, and typically citrus flavored, with a beverage vesselcontaining a liquid and for mixing the soluble substance with theliquid. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a dispensing unithaving a breachable container for containing the soluble substance,usually a condensed fluid, and a foam enclosure enclosing at least aportion of the breachable container, wherein the foam enclosure controlsthe rate of release of the soluble substance upon breaching of thebreachable container. The soluble substance may be non-perishable orcontain a preservative. Desirably, the dispensing unit is in the form ofa portion of a citrus fruit. Another embodiment has as the dispensingunit an elastic entity in the shape of a portion of a citrus fruitenclosed in a protective covering. The elastic entity includes thesoluble substance for introduction and dissolution into the liquid. Thedispensing unit may be inside or outside the beverage vessel. In auseful embodiment the dispensing unit includes a connector forconnecting to the beverage vessel, beverage vessel cap or beveragevessel carrier or holder, or uses pressure for holding the dispensingunit in place in the beverage vessel.

Commonly, the vessel will be a bottle having a narrow neck. Since thebottle will be paradigmatic of the vessel employed in this invention,unless otherwise indicated, whenever using the term “bottle” it isintended to exemplify vessels generally, except when the term bottle isused in the claims. In a common embodiment, the liquid in the vesselwill be directly imbibed from the vessel.

The subject invention provides systems for packaging a flavoring in aconvenient manner to accompany a bottled beverage, where it is desirableto mix the flavoring with a sealed bottled beverage after the bottle isopened. When the flavoring is an ancillary liquid stored in a container,the container may be supported in an upper portion of the bottle, so asto be readily accessible either before or after the bottle is opened.The container may be attached to an attachment member that serves toattach the container to the bottle.

In one embodiment, using beer or other appropriate beverage asexemplary, an artificial lime wedge or lime slice is suspended in theneck of a beverage bottle above or partially or wholly immersed in theliquid contents. The liquid contents may be beer, and typically aMexican beer. The artificial lime wedge is typically accessible from anupper portion of the bottle by an attachment member attached to theartificial lime. The attachment member may be connected to the cap ofthe bottle or the neck of the bottle. One end of the artificial limeattachment member may comprise a cap attachment which may be heldbetween the bottle cap and top of the bottle, such that it is resting onthe top of the bottle when the cap is removed. The artificial limeattachment member may also be positioned in the neck of the bottle so itcan be reached when the bottle cap is removed. On the end opposite ofthe artificial lime, the attachment member may have a cap attachmentcomprising a loop to make it easy to retrieve the artificial lime fromthe bottle using a single finger. The artificial lime may also bepackaged outside the bottle, typically removably attached to the bottlecap, side of the bottle, or bottle carrier or holder.

In another embodiment, the liquid is tea and the artificial lime wedgeis replaced by an artificial lemon wedge containing lemon juice or lemonflavoring. In general, the artificial lime wedge may be replaced by aportion of any artificial fruit, including but not limited to citrusfruit, or portion thereof and contain any liquid or flavoring. Theartificial lime wedge may also be replaced by any artificial semblanceor natural food or portion thereof and contain any liquid, includingalcohol or flavoring. The artificial lime wedge may also be replaced bya real lime, lemon or other food that is packaged in a removablecontainer or covering. The natural lime, lemon, fruit or other food maybe “dehydrated” or “dried,” e.g., freeze-dried. It may be non-perishableor optionally contain a preservative. It may be optionally supplementedwith a container of flavored liquid. It may optionally contain fruitjuice from concentrate. Examples of removable coverings include aplastic container; vacuum-sealed plastic, which may optionally include atear cord; a Zip-Lok® plastic bag; and the like. The liquid contents ofthe bottle may be beer, a soft drink, tea, coffee, milk, water, a sportsdrink, fruit juice, an alcoholic beverage and the like. A natural limemay also be packaged outside the bottle, typically removably attached tothe bottle cap, side of the bottle or bottle carrier. Other typicalliquid contents and flavoring pairings include Guiness® beer withchocolate flavoring, European beers with soft drink flavorings, andsparkling wine with strawberry flavoring. Other fruit flavorings includebut aren't limited to orange and kiwi.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a bottled beverage with a fruit portionsuspended inside the neck of the bottle from the bottle cap. The fruitportion may include an artificial citrus portion, including but notlimited to an artificial lime wedge or slice containing lime-flavoredliquid or other flavored soluble substance including but not limited toa lime-flavored soluble substance. The fruit portion may include anatural citrus portion, including but not limited to a natural limewedge or slice, which may be dehydrated or otherwise preserved.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of an assembly comprising an artificial fruitportion attached to a bottle cap by an attachment member, where theartificial fruit portion is a wedge and comprises an elastic foam bodyand a container containing fruit-flavored liquid.

FIG. 3A is a cross section of a container, an attachment member anddisk-shaped cap attachment, where the container may be filled through asmall opening in the disk-shaped cap attachment. FIG. 3B is a top viewof the disk-shaped cap attachment.

FIG. 4A is a cross section of a container, a separable attachment memberand a loop-shaped cap attachment. FIG. 4B is a side view of theloop-shaped cap attachment and a portion of the attachment member.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a bottled beverage with a fruit portionsuspended outside the bottle by an external fastener with a ring at oneend. The fruit portion may include an artificial citrus portion,including but not limited to an artificial lime wedge or slicecontaining lime-flavored liquid or other flavored soluble substanceincluding but not limited to a lime-flavored soluble substance. Thefruit portion may include a natural citrus portion, including but notlimited to a natural lime wedge or slice, which may be dehydrated orotherwise preserved.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a fruit portion packaged in a removableprotective covering including but not limited to vacuum-sealed plastic,which, as shown, includes a tear cord.

FIG. 7 is a cross section of an assembly comprising an artificial fruitportion attached to a bottle cap by an attachment member, where theartificial fruit portion is shown here as a wedge, including but notlimited to a lime or lemon wedge, and comprises an elastic foam body anda container containing fruit-flavored liquid, including but not limitedto lime- or lemon-flavored liquid.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross sections of a mold for forming an artificialfruit portion, including but not limited to a wedge. In FIG. 8A twopieces of the mold are separated, and in FIG. 8B two pieces of the moldare pressed together.

FIG. 9 is a cross section of the top portion of a beverage vesselcomprising a fruit portion, including but not limited to a lime wedge,that is suspended in the beverage vessel by a suspending member attachedto a support member, including but not limited to a piece of foam, cork,rubber, plastic and the like.

FIG. 10 is a cross section of the top portion of a beverage vesselcomprising a fruit portion, including but not limited to a lime wedge,that is suspended in the beverage vessel using contact between the fruitportion and the beverage vessel.

FIG. 11A is a cross section of a beverage vessel comprising a beverageand an artificial fruit portion, including but not limited to anartificial lime. Inside the artificial fruit portion is a liquidcontainer that releases its liquid contents, including but not limitedto fruit-flavored liquid, into the beverage when the artificial fruitportion is lowered into the beverage, as shown in FIG. 11B.

FIG. 12A is a side view of one embodiment of the liquid container ofFIGS. 11A and 11B. FIG. 12B is a cross section of the liquid containerof FIG. 12A taken at section A-A of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13A is a front view of a bottled beverage with a fruit portion,including but not limited to a lime wedge, packaged in a removableprotective covering and suspended outside the bottle by an externalfastener. FIG. 13B is a cross section plan view of the embodiment takenthrough section A-A in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14A is a front view of a bottled beverage with a fruit portion,including but not limited to a lime wedge, packaged in a removableprotective covering and suspended outside the bottle by an externalfastener. FIG. 14B is a cross section of the embodiment taken throughsection A-A in FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an apparatus for holding one or morefruit portions in convenient proximity to one or more beverage vessels.FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 15A placed infunctional relationship to a beverage vessel carrier carrying beveragevessels, including bottles. In this figure, the apparatus is placed overthe handle portion of the beverage vessel carrier.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an apparatus for holding one or morefruit portions in convenient proximity to one or more beverage vessels,including but not limited to cans.

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of a fruit portion in a protectivecovering not in contact with a beverage vessel. FIG. 17B is aperspective view of a fruit portion in a protective covering secured toa beverage vessel.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of a fruit portion inside a protectivecovering. FIG. 18B is a perspective view of one or more fruit portionsinside a protective covering and secured to a first embodiment of abeverage vessel carrier. FIG. 18C is a perspective view of one or morefruit portions inside a protective covering and secured to a secondembodiment of a beverage vessel carrier. FIG. 18D is a perspective viewof one or more fruit portions inside a protective covering and securedto a beverage vessel.

FIG. 19A is a cross section of a beverage vessel in an unactivatedconfiguration where a first fluid is separated from a second fluid. FIG.19B is a cross section of the beverage vessel in an activatedconfiguration for mixing the first fluid with the second fluid.

FIG. 20A is a cross section of a beverage vessel in an unactivatedconfiguration where a first fluid is separated from a second fluid. FIG.20B is a cross section of the beverage vessel in an activatedconfiguration for mixing the first fluid with the second fluid.

FIG. 21 is a non-soluble housing in the image of a fruit portion with aretaining region for retaining a soluble substance. The fruit portion isstored in a protective covering which may be attached to, or otherwiseassociated with, a beverage vessel comprising beverage liquid with whichthe soluble substance is to be dissolved and mixed prior to consumption.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is further described in detail hereunder referringto the embodiments provided in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a beverage bottle 100 containing a beverage 101, including butnot limited to beer, with a fruit portion 103, including but not limitedto a lime portion, attached to and suspended from the cap 102 of thebottle 100 by an attachment member 104. The fruit portion 103 istypically only a portion of a fruit, including but not limited to atriangular lime wedge or slice. When the cap 102 is on the beveragebottle 100 and the bottle 100 is sitting upright on a horizontalsurface, the fruit portion 103 is typically suspended in the space 105above the beverage 101. When the cap 102 is removed from the bottle 100the fruit portion 103 may also be removed because it may be attached tothe cap 102 by the attachment member 104. When the fruit portion 103 isremoved from the bottle 100 it may be discarded or used as furtherdescribed in FIG. 2.

The attachment member 104 may comprise a rod or tube and may be flexibleor rigid, or may comprise combinations thereof. The attachment member104 generally has a maximum diameter of about 0.25 inches, where theminimum diameter is typically chosen to provide the required strength.Generally, the vertical portion of the attachment member 104 when in thebottle 100 will be not more than about 2 inches and may be as short as0.1 inches. Portions of the attachment member 104 may be of differentdimensions and characteristics, typically where an upper portion of theattachment member 104 (near the cap) is flexible and a lower portion(adjacent to the fruit portion 103) is more rigid. The attachment member104 may have a concavity or protuberance for connecting to an artificialfruit liquid container, may serve as a stopper in the artificial fruitliquid container, or may possess another means of attachment to theartificial fruit liquid container. The portion of the attachment member104 distal from the fruit portion 103 is joined to means for retainingthe fruit portion 103 in the upper portion of the bottle 100. Theattachment member 104 may be flexibly attached to the cap 102 orattached to a circular disc that fits into the cap 102 and extends overthe bottle top. In the latter case, the attachment member 104 may beflexible or rigid at the end distal from the fruit portion 103.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of an assembly 200 comprising a portion of anartificial fruit 216 (including but not limited to an artificial lime orlemon), a container 202, an attachment member 205 and a bottle cap 204.The attachment member 205 is comprised of a connecting link 206 thatconnects the bottle top covering member 210 and the container connector207, where the container connector 207 is in turn attached to thecontainer 202. The assembly 200 comprises a foam body 201 enclosing allor a portion of the container 202. The artificial fruit 216 typicallyrepresents only a portion of the artificial fruit, including but notlimited to a triangular lime wedge or lemon slice. In this example, thecontainer liquid 203 in the container 202 may be real fruit juice(including but not limited to real lime juice), artificial fruit juice(including but not limited to artificial lime juice), fruit flavoredliquid (including but not limited to lime flavored liquid) or anotherdesired liquid. The container 202 is attached to the bottle cap 204 bythe attachment member 205. The attachment member 205 typically comprisesa connecting link 206 that is conveniently flexible and at one end has abottle top covering member 210 in contact with the bottle cap 204. Thebottle top covering member 210 may be permanently attached to the bottlecap 204, typically by adhesive or molding, or separable from the bottlecap 204. When the connecting link 206 is flexible, the containerconnector 207 is typically more rigid. The container connector 207 maycomprise a score 208 to allow the container 202 to be easily separatedfrom the attachment member 205 by snapping it off.

The attachment member 205 may be molded to provide the desired shape andtreated to provide the desired physical properties. Various plasticmaterials can be used to be shaped into the various forms comprising theattachment member 205, treating portions differently to be rigid orflexible, as required.

In one embodiment, the container cavity 217 containing the containerliquid 203 extends beyond the score 208 of the container connector 207of the attachment member 205 by means of channel 209. Accordingly, whenthe container 202 is separated from the attachment member 205, containerliquid 203 can escape from the container 202 through the channel 209.Typically, the container liquid 203 escapes from the container 202 bypouring or squeezing the container 202. For example, after the bottlecap 204 (and 102 in FIG. 1) is removed from a bottle (including but notlimited to the bottle 100 in FIG. 1), the bottle cap 204 is separatedfrom the artificial fruit 216 by snapping at the score 208, and fruitjuice can be poured or squeezed into the beverage (including but notlimited to the beverage 101 in FIG. 1) from the container 202 inside theartificial fruit 216.

The container 202 can be further made to release the container liquid203, typically by snapping the container 202, or otherwise breaching,breaking, crushing, puncturing, unscrewing, pulling apart and the like.In FIG. 2, the container 202 comprises a score 213 to facilitateseparating the container 202 by snapping it into two pieces: a bottomcontainer piece 214 and a top container piece 215. When the container202 is separated, the container liquid 203 is released and enters thesurrounding foam body 201. If desired, the artificial fruit 216 can thenbe re-inserted into the bottle (including but not limited to bottle 100in FIG. 1) and dropped into the beverage (including but not limited tothe beverage 101 in FIG. 1). The foam body 201 of the artificial fruit216 regulates the rate at which the released container liquid 203 isallowed to mix with the beverage (101). The density and type of pores inthe foam body 201 are selected to obtain a desired mixing rate.Different densities and types of foam may be selected according to thecontainer liquid 203. For instance, a container liquid 203 with highsurface tension may use a foam body 201 with less dense foam or foamwith larger pores.

To enhance the realism of the artificial fruit 216, the foam body 201 istypically textured and colored to resemble a real fruit. In addition tovisual properties, the foam body 201 can also be selected to approximatethe mechanical properties of a real fruit, including its compliance anddamping. For instance, for the case where the artificial fruit 216 is anartificial lime, the circular perimeter 212 is typically a dark limegreen color and denser than the rest of the artificial fruit 216; themiddle layer 211 is typically a light yellow color; and the innerportion 217 is typically textured like the pulp of a real lime and is adarker yellow color than the light yellow color of the middle layer 211.

FIG. 3A is a cross section of a container 300, as may be used in theembodiment of FIG. 2, an attachment member 301 and disk-shaped bottletop covering member 305. The container 300 may be filled through a smallopening 306 in the disk-shaped bottle top covering member 305. Thecontainer 300 as shown may have one or more scores 302 to make it easierto breach by bending or twisting so liquid stored inside the containercavity 303 may be released into foam typically surrounding it (as shownin FIG. 2). The one or more scores may extend part way or the entire wayaround the container 300. The one or more scores may also extendlongitudinally or diagonally along a portion of the length of thecontainer 300. The one or more scores may form any convenient design tofacilitate a desired breach of the container 300. The container may alsobe breached by breaking, crushing, puncturing, unscrewing, pulling apartand the like. Similarly, the attachment member 301 as shown may alsohave a score 307 to make it easier to break by bending or twisting toseparate the attachment member 301 from the container 300. At least aportion of the attachment member 301 is typically flexible, long andnarrow.

The container 300 may be filled with liquid using a syringe (not shown),or other needle-like device, by inserting the syringe into the opening306 in the disk-shaped bottle top covering member 305. Liquid insertedby the syringe passes through the channel 304 in the attachment member301 on the way to the container cavity 303. The disk-shaped bottle topcovering member 305 is typically positioned between the top of thebottle (including but not limited to bottle 100 in FIG. 1) and thebottle cap (including but not limited to 102 and 204 in FIGS. 1 and 2)and held in place there by the bottle cap (102 and 204). The disk-shapedbottle top covering member 305 may be adhered or otherwise attached tothe bottle cap (102 and 204). When the bottle cap (102 and 204) issecured to the bottle (100) over the disk-shaped bottle top coveringmember 305, or if the disk-shaped bottle top covering member 305 isadhered or otherwise attached to the bottle cap (102 and 204), theopening 306 is covered, preventing liquid from escaping from thecontainer 300.

FIG. 3B is a top view of the disk-shaped bottle top covering member 305with opening 306.

FIG. 4A is a cross section of a container 400, a separable attachmentmember 411 (comprising a container-attachment member 401 and a bottletop covering attachment member 409), and loop-shaped bottle top covering405, where the container 400 may be filled through a small opening 410in the bottle top covering attachment member 409. The container 400 asshown may have one or more scores 402 to make it easier to breach bybending or twisting so liquid stored inside the container cavity 403 maybe released into foam typically surrounding it (as shown in FIG. 1). Theone or more scores may extend part way or the entire way around thecontainer 400. The one or more scores may also extend longitudinally ordiagonally along a portion of the length of the container 400. The oneor more scores may form any convenient design to facilitate a desiredbreach of the container 400. The container may also be breached bybreaking, crushing, puncturing, unscrewing, pulling apart and the like.

The container-attachment member 401 is typically flexible, long andnarrow. The container-attachment member 401 and bottle top coveringattachment member 409 may be connected by any convenient method. Asshown, they are snapped together, where the container-attachment member401 has one or more protuberances 407 that mate with one or morecavities, indentations, channels or grooves 408 in the bottle topcovering attachment member 409. The bottle top covering attachmentmember 409 may also be threaded with the container attachment member 401having a complementary thread. Depending on the materials and tolerancesof the container-attachment member 401 and bottle top coveringattachment member 409, a gasket, washer, sealant, and the like, may beused to ensure a water-tight seal so liquid doesn't leak from thecontainer 400 until the separable attachment member 411 is intentionallyseparated.

The container 400 may be filled with liquid using a syringe (not shown),or other needle-like device, by inserting the syringe into the opening410 in the container attachment member 401. Liquid inserted by thesyringe passes through the channel 404 in the container attachmentmember 401 on the way to the container cavity 403. The loop-shapedbottle top covering 405 is shown “flipped up,” but in typical operationis rotated 90 degrees about point 412 into the page (as shown in FIG.4B). The loop-shaped bottle top covering 405 is typically positionedbetween the top of the bottle (100) and bottle cap (102 and 204) andheld in place there by the bottle cap (102 and 204). The loop-shapedbottle top covering 405 may be adhered or otherwise attached to thebottle cap (102 and 204). The loop-shaped bottle top covering 405 has ahole 406 where a finger may be placed to make it easy to grab and affectmovement of the separable attachment member 411.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the loop-shaped bottle top covering 405attached at a point 412 to the bottle top covering attachment member 409of the separable attachment member 411.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a beverage bottle 500 filled with liquid 501and associated with a fruit portion 503. The fruit portion 503 may beany convenient fruit portion, including but not limited to a lime orlemon wedge or portion. In this embodiment, a fruit portion 503 is shownsuspended outside the bottle 500 by an attachment member 504 with a loop505 at one end. The fruit portion 503 may be an artificial or naturalfruit portion, including but not limited to the fruit wedges describedherein. The attachment member 504 may be suspended outside the bottle500 by any convenient method, including a loop 505 encircling the neckof the bottle 500 or located under the bottle cap 502. The attachmentmember 504 may also be adhered or otherwise connected to the bottle 500,bottle cap 502 or bottle label 506 using any convenient method. Theattachment member 504 may be separated from the fruit portion 503 usingany convenient method, including the methods described in FIGS. 3A and4A.

The fruit portion 503 may also be fastened to the outside of the bottle500 or bottle cap 502 using a plastic wrap (including but not limited toSaran Wrap®), shrink wrap, cling wrap, plastic film, tape, glue,adhesive, a clip, snap, Velcro®, cable tie, a mating member and thelike.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a fruit portion 600, including but not limitedto a lime or lemon wedge, packaged in a removable covering 601. Thefruit portion 600 may be a portion of a natural fruit or an artificialfruit. If the fruit is a natural fruit, it may be dehydrated orotherwise “dried” before packaging and optionally accompanied by acontainer of fruit-flavored liquid. If the fruit portion 600 is anartificial fruit, it may be a made from non-dissolving foam. Anartificial fruit may also be made from dissolving foam, gel, semi-solid,paste, lozenge, tablet and the like. If a portion of the artificialfruit dissolves, the removable covering is typically a watertightcovering to prevent the portion of the artificial fruit from dissolvingprior to the time the consumer wishes it to dissolve in the liquid,including but not limited to the liquid 501 in FIG. 5. The fruit portion600 may comprise a non-soluble foam or mesh housing containing a solubleflavoring entity, such as a flavored tablet, bead or granule.

The removable covering 601 may be made of any convenient materialincluding but not limited to clear, translucent or opaque plastic. Suchplastic 601 may be rigid or flexible. Such plastic 601 may bevacuum-sealed plastic and may include a tear cord, Zip Lok® zipper, orany other convenient opening or sealing device or technique. In theembodiment of FIG. 6, the semi-rigid member 602 is used as a tear cord,where in FIG. 6 it separates from the plastic covering 601 at a point603. When the semi-rigid member 602 separates from the plastic covering601 the natural fruit or artificial fruit portion 600 can be removedfrom the plastic covering 601 from the opening created. The semi-rigidmember 602 optionally has a ring 605 at one end (shown in FIG. 6) whichmay encircle the neck of the bottle 500 or may be placed under thebottle cap 502; although, the semi-rigid member 602 may be connected inany convenient manner to the bottle 500, bottle cap 502 or label 506. Ifthe plastic covering were vacuum sealed, the gap 604 shown may notexist.

FIG. 7 is a cross section of an assembly 700 comprising an artificialfruit 710, including but not limited to an artificial lime or lemon, acontainer 702, an attachment member 705 and a bottle cap 704. Theattachment member 705 is comprised of a bottle top covering end 706 anda container-connecting end 707, where the container-connecting end 707has a protuberance 708 that fits into a mating opening 709 in thecontainer 702 and seals the container liquid 703 therein. The assembly700 comprises a foam body 701 enclosing all or a portion of thecontainer 702. The artificial fruit 710 typically represents only aportion of a fruit, including but not limited to a triangular fruitwedge. In this example, the container liquid 703 in the container 702may be real fruit juice, artificial fruit juice, fruit flavored liquidor another desired liquid. In this example, the container 702 isattached to the bottle cap 704 by the bottle top covering end 706. Theattachment member 705 typically is flexible. The bottle top covering end706 may be permanently attached to the bottle cap 704, typically byadhesive or molding, or separable from the bottle cap 704. When theconnecting link 705 is flexible, the container connecting end 707 istypically more rigid. The container connecting end 707 may be press fitinto the opening 709 in the container 702. The container connecting end707 may also be snap fit in, screwed in, or connected to the container702 using any other convenient sealable, yet separable, method.

The attachment member 705 may be molded to provide the desired shape andtreated to provide the desired physical properties. Various plasticmaterials can be used to be shaped into the various forms comprising theattachment member 705, treating portions differently to be rigid orflexible, as required.

Typically, when the container 702 is separated from the attachmentmember 705, container liquid 703 can escape from the container 702through the opening 709. Typically, the container liquid 703 escapesfrom the container 702 by pouring or squeezing the container 702. Forexample, after the bottle cap 704/102 is removed from the bottle 100,the bottle cap 704 is separated from the artificial fruit 710 bysnapping the container connecting end 707 out of the opening 709, andfruit juice can be poured or squeezed into the beverage 101 from thecontainer 702 inside the artificial fruit 710.

The container 702 can be further made to release the container liquid703, typically by snapping the container 702, or otherwise breaking,crushing, puncturing, unscrewing, pulling apart, and the like. Althoughnot shown in FIG. 7, the container 702 may comprise a score, like thescore 213 in FIG. 2, to facilitate separating the container 702 bysnapping it into two pieces. When the container 702 is separated, thecontainer liquid 703 is released and enters the surrounding foam body701. If desired, the artificial fruit 710 can then be re-inserted intothe bottle 100 and dropped into the beverage 101. The foam body 701 ofthe artificial fruit 710 regulates the rate at which the releasedcontainer liquid 703 is allowed to mix with the beverage 101. Thedensity and type of pores in the foam body 701 are selected to obtain adesired mixing rate. Different densities and types of foam may beselected according to the container liquid 703. For instance, acontainer liquid 703 with high surface tension may use a foam body 201with less dense foam or foam with larger pores.

To enhance the realism of the artificial fruit 710, the foam body 701 istypically textured and colored to resemble a real fruit. In addition tovisual properties, the foam body 701 can also be selected to approximatethe mechanical properties of a real fruit, including its compliance anddamping. For instance, in the case where the artificial fruit 710 is anartificial lime, the circular perimeter 712 is typically a dark limegreen color and denser than the rest of the artificial fruit 710; themiddle layer 711 is typically a light yellow color; and the innerportion 713 is typically textured like the pulp of a real lime and is adarker yellow color than the light yellow color of the middle layer 711.

FIG. 8A is a cross section of a mold for forming an artificial fruitportion, including but not limited to an artificial lime or lemon wedge.As shown in FIG. 8A, the mold is open. FIG. 8B shows the mold closed.800 is a first side of the mold and 801 is a second side of the mold. Ingeneral, there may be any number of pieces to the mold. The mold mayseparate along any convenient parting line of the artificial fruitportion such that the artificial fruit portion may be removed afterforming. As shown, the molded artificial fruit portion must be compliantto be removed from the second side of the mold 801. Alternately choosinga parting line in the plane of the cross section may make the artificialfruit portion easier to remove when the two sides of the mold 800 and801 are opened.

As shown, the two mold pieces come together around a liquid containerspacer 802 with stem spacer 803, where the liquid container spacer 802and stem spacer 803 create a molded cavity inside the artificial fruitportion into which a liquid container may later be inserted.Alternately, the two mold pieces may come together around a liquidcontainer such that the liquid container is never removed from theartificial fruit portion. The first side of the mold 800 contains afirst fruit portion cavity 804 and a first stem cavity 807. The secondside of the mold 801 contains a second fruit portion cavity 805 and asecond stem cavity 808. The two fruit portion cavities 804 and 805enclose the liquid container spacer 802, whereas the two stem cavities807 and 808 enclose the stem spacer 803 when the two sides of the fruitportion mold 800 and 801 come together, as shown in FIG. 8B. The passage806 shown on the second side of the mold 801 permits injection of thedesired molding material to form the artificial fruit portion around theliquid container spacer 802 by filling the cavity which is sealed bybringing together of the first and second sides of the mold 800 and 801.

FIG. 9 is a cross section of the top portion of a beverage container 906comprising an artificial fruit portion 900, including but not limited toan artificial lime or lemon wedge, that is suspended in the beveragecontainer by a suspending member 903 comprising a support member 901,including but not limited to a piece of foam, cork and the like, at oneend and attached to the artificial fruit portion 900 at the other end.As shown in FIG. 9, the support member 901 is positioned through contactwith the inside wall 902 of the beverage container 906. Typically thesupport member 901 is supported by press fitting, snap fitting, screwingand the like. The support member 901 is typically attached to the bottlecap 904 by a removal member 905 including but not limited to a cord,string, rubber band, thread, wire, spring, and the like. The removalmember 905 may also not be attached to the bottle cap 904 and simplycomprise a tab, loop or other means by which the support member 901 maybe removed by the beverage consumer after removal of the bottle cap 904.

FIG. 10 is a cross section of the top portion of a beverage container1004 comprising an artificial fruit portion 1000, including but notlimited to an artificial lime or lemon wedge, that is suspended in thebeverage container 1004 using contact 1005 between the artificial fruitportion 1000 and the inside surface 1001 of the beverage container 1004.The artificial fruit portion 1000 may be removed from the beveragecontainer 1004 using a removal member 1003 which may be a cord, string,rubber band, thread, wire, spring, tab, loop, and the like. The removalmember 1003 may be handled directly for removal of the artificial fruitportion 1000 or the removal member 1003 may be attached to the bottlecap 1002.

FIG. 11A is a cross section of a beverage container 1106 comprising abeverage 1105 and an artificial fruit portion 1100, including but notlimited to an artificial lime or lemon wedge. Inside the artificialfruit portion is a liquid container 1107 comprising a first member 1102and a second member 1103. The liquid container 1107 releases its liquidcontents inside the artificial fruit portion 1100 where the liquidcontents then diffuse through at least a portion of the artificial fruitportion 1100 into the beverage 1105 when the artificial fruit portion1100 is lowered into the beverage 1105, as shown in FIG. 11B. As shown,the artificial fruit portion 1100 is typically initially in contact withthe inner surface 1101 of the beverage container 1106, and theartificial fruit portion 1100 is typically compressed to keep the firstmember 1102 in sealed contact with the second member 1103 to prevent theliquid contents from escaping.

In FIG. 11B, the artificial fruit portion 1100 has been lowered into theliquid 1105, thereby releasing the pressure keeping the first member1102 in sealed contact with the second member 1103, and allowing thefirst member 1102 to separate from the second member 1103. Typically,such separation is induced by a separating pressure between the firstmember 1102 and the second member 1103. Such separating pressure may beprovided by any convenient method, including a spring, including but notlimited to a compression spring or extension spring, a living hinge, andthe like.

The first member 1102 and second member 1103 may be hinged, such as bythe hinge 1104. When hinged, the hinge may comprise a pin by which thesides rotate relative to each other. The hinge may also be a livinghinge or any other hinging means.

FIG. 12A is a side view of one embodiment of the liquid container 1204,corresponding to the liquid container 1107 of FIGS. 11A and 11B. In thisembodiment, the liquid container 1204 has a first member 1200 and asecond member 1201 joined by a pinned hinge 1202. Not shown in thefigure is a spring for applying a separating pressure between the firstmember 1200 and second member 1201. Such a spring may be associated withthe pinned hinge 1202. There may also be a compression spring betweenthe first member 1200 and second member 1201.

FIG. 12B is a cross section of the liquid container 1204 of FIG. 12Ataken at section A-A of FIG. 12A. In this embodiment of the liquidcontainer 1204, there is a first member 1200 and second member 1201 thatmate together to form a liquid seal to contain the liquid contents ofthe liquid container 1204. In this embodiment, to form a liquid seal,the second member 1201 has a channel protuberance 1203 along its entireperimeter that fits into a mating channel valley 1202 along the entireperimeter of the first member 1200.

FIG. 13A is a front view of a bottled beverage with a fruit portion1300, including but not limited to an artificial or natural lime orlemon wedge, packaged in a removable protective covering 1301 andsuspended outside the bottle 1302 by an external fastener 1303. Theprotective covering 1301 may be comprised of transparent, opaque orsemi-translucent material, and it may be made from any convenient,typically sanitizable, material including but not limited to plastic,foil, glass, foam, and the like. The external fastener 1303 may comprisea clip, plastic wrap, shrink wrap, cling wrap, plastic film, tape, glue,adhesive, snap, Velcro, cable tie, wire, a mating member, and the like.In this embodiment, the protective covering 1301 has a tear cord 1304for breaching the protective covering 1301 and allowing removal of thefruit portion 1300. The tear cord 1304 may have a portion for grasping,such as the tab 1305. The tear cord 1304 may permanently sever theprotective covering 1301 or it may serve to separate to portions of theprotective covering 1301 such as achieved by a zipper or Zip Lokconnector. The protective covering 1301 is connected to the externalfastener 1303 at location 1306. Such connection may be achieved by anyconvenient method including the use of glue, clipping, mating portions,adhesive, tape, Velcro, and the like. The fruit portion 1300 maycomprise a non-soluble foam or mesh housing containing a solubleflavoring entity, such as a flavored tablet, bead or granule.

FIG. 13B is a cross section plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 13Ataken through section A-A. The fruit portion 1300 is shown in theremovable protective covering 1301. The protective covering 1301 isconnected to the external fastener 1303 at location 1306. A convenientexternal fastener 1303 is double-stick tape or other adhesive. Anotherconvenient external fastener 1303 is a plastic or metal clip. Theexternal fastener 1303 holds the fruit portion with or in convenientrelation to the beverage vessel 1302 including but not limited to abottle neck. The tear cord 1304 is moved to provide an opening in theprotective covering 1301 for removing at least a portion of the fruitportion or flavored fluid associated with the fruit portion.

FIG. 14A is a front view of a bottled beverage with a fruit portion1400, including but not limited to an artificial or natural lime orlemon wedge, packaged in a removable protective covering 1401 andsuspended outside the bottle 1402 by an external fastener 1403. Theprotective covering 1401 may be comprised of transparent, opaque orsemi-translucent material, and it may be made from any convenient,typically sanitizable, material including but not limited to plastic,foil, glass, foam, and the like. The external fastener 1403 may comprisea clip, plastic wrap, shrink wrap, cling wrap, plastic film, tape, glue,adhesive, snap, Velcro, cable tie, wire, a mating member, and the like.In this embodiment, the protective covering 1401 may be breached bypulling its flanged base 1404 away from the external fastener 1403 andallowing removal of the fruit portion 1400. The protective covering 1401may also comprise a tear cord (not shown) to separate to portions of theprotective covering 1401. The protective covering 1401 is connected tothe external fastener 1403 by a flanged base 1404. Such connection maybe achieved by any convenient method including the use of glue,clipping, mating portions, adhesive, tape, Velcro, and the like. Thefruit portion 1400 may comprise a non-soluble foam or mesh housingcontaining a soluble flavoring entity, such as a flavored tablet, beador granule.

FIG. 14B is a cross section plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 14Ataken through section A-A. The fruit portion 1400 is shown in theremovable protective covering 1401. The protective covering 1401 isconnected to the external fastener 1403 by its flanged base 1404. Aconvenient external fastener 1403 is double-stick tape or otheradhesive. The external fastener 1403 may be the beverage vessel label.Another convenient external fastener 1403 is a plastic or metal clip.The external fastener 1403 holds the fruit portion with or in convenientrelation to the beverage vessel 1402 including but not limited to abottle neck.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus 1500 forholding one or more fruit portions 1506 in convenient proximity to oneor more beverage vessels. In this embodiment, the apparatus 1500 is a“hanging” apparatus comprising a first side 1502 and a second side 1503and a bends 1504. Typically the apparatus 1500 is made of cardboard,paper, plastic or wood, but may be made from any convenient material.The bend 1504 is typically a fold or crease that creates two parallelsides, 1502 and 1503, from a single sheet of material. The bends 1504are typically used to support the apparatus 1500 on the handle portionof a beverage vessel carrier, including but not limited to a 6-packbottle carton.

In this embodiment, fruit portions 1506 are contained in protectivecoverings 1505 that are attached to the sides 1502 and 1503 of theapparatus 1500. Each of the fruit portions 1506 may include anartificial citrus portion, including but not limited to an artificiallime wedge or slice containing lime-flavored liquid or other flavoredsoluble substance including but not limited to a lime-flavored solublesubstance. Each of the fruit portions 1506 may include a natural citrusportion, including but not limited to a natural lime wedge or slice,which may be dehydrated or otherwise preserved. The protective coverings1505 may be comprised of transparent, opaque or semi-translucentmaterial, and may be made from any convenient, typically sanitizable,material including but not limited to plastic, foil, glass, foam, andthe like. In a convenient embodiment, a portion of the protectivecoverings 1505 comprises translucent plastic and another portioncomprises foil which can be breached to release one of the fruitportions 1506. The protective coverings 1505 may be attached to anyportion of the apparatus 1500, such as the sides 1502 and 1503. Suchattachment may include a clip, plastic wrap, shrink wrap, cling wrap,plastic film, tape, glue, adhesive, snap, Velcro, cable tie, wire,mating members, and the like. Any of the fruit portions 1506 maycomprise a non-soluble foam or mesh housing containing a solubleflavoring entity, such as a flavored tablet, bead or granule.

FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the apparatus 1500 of FIG. 15A placedin functional relationship to a beverage vessel carrier 1501 carryingbeverage vessels 1509, including but not limited to bottles. In thisfigure, the apparatus 1500 is placed over the handle portion 1507 withhandle hole 1508 of the beverage vessel carrier 1501. The apparatus 1500may be attached to the handle portion 1507 by clips, glue, tape,staples, snaps, Velcro, mating members, and the like. In thisembodiment, when the apparatus 1500 is placed over the handle portion1507, the protective coverings 1505 reside between the vessels 1509 andthe beverage vessel carrier 1501. Typically the protective coverings1505 reside between the vessels 1509 and the sides 1511 or separators1510 of the beverage vessel carrier 1501.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an apparatus 1600 for holding one ormore fruit portions, such as portions 1604, 1606, 1608 and 1610, with orin convenient proximity to one or more beverage vessels 1601, includingcans. In this embodiment, the apparatus 1600 also holds the beveragevessels 1601 together for carrying and storing. Typically the apparatus1600 is made of cardboard, paper, plastic or wood, but may be made fromany convenient material. Any of the fruit portions 1604, 1606, 1608 and1610 may comprise a non-soluble foam or mesh housing containing asoluble flavoring entity, such as a flavored tablet, bead or granule.

In this embodiment, fruit portions 1604, 1606, 1608 and 1610, arecontained in protective coverings 1603, 1605, 1607 and 1609,respectively, that are attached to the apparatus 1600. Each of the fruitportions 1604, 1606, 1608 and 1610 may include an artificial citrusportion, including but not limited to an artificial lime wedge or slicecontaining lime-flavored liquid or other flavored soluble substanceincluding but not limited to a lime-flavored soluble substance. Each ofthe fruit portions 1604, 1606, 1608 and 1610 may include a naturalcitrus portion, including but not limited to a natural lime wedge orslice, which may be dehydrated or otherwise preserved. The protectivecoverings 1603, 1605, 1607 and 1609 may be comprised of transparent,opaque or semi-translucent material, and may be made from anyconvenient, typically sanitizable, material including but not limited toplastic, foil, glass, foam, and the like. In a convenient embodiment, aportion of the protective coverings 1603, 1605, 1607 and 1609 comprisestranslucent plastic and another portion comprises foil which can bebreached to release one of the fruit portions 1604, 1606, 1608 and 1610.The protective coverings 1603, 1605, 1607 and 1609 may be attached toany portion of the apparatus 1600, such as on the top 1603 and 1607 orthe bottom 1605 and 1609. The protective coverings 1603, 1605, 1607 and1609 may also be attached to the edge of the apparatus 1600. Suchattachment may comprise a clip, plastic wrap, shrink wrap, cling wrap,plastic film, tape, glue, adhesive, snap, Velcro, cable tie, wire,mating members, and the like.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the apparatus 1600 also serving as abeverage vessel carrier carrying beverage vessels 1601, including butnot limited to cans. In this figure, the apparatus 1600 includes handleholes 1602 for carrying. In this embodiment, the protective coverings1605 and 1609 reside between the vessels 1601, and protective coverings1603 and 1607 reside on the top of the apparatus 1600.

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of a fruit portion 1702 in a protectivecovering 1701 in a first position not in contact with a beverage vessel1700. FIG. 17B is a perspective view of the fruit portion 1702 in theprotective covering 1701 in a second position 1703 secured to thebeverage vessel 1700. FIG. 17A is a perspective view of a protectivecovering 1701 for holding a fruit portion 1702 in convenient proximityto a beverage vessel 1700, including a can. The fruit portion 1702 mayinclude an artificial citrus portion, including but not limited to anartificial lime wedge or slice containing lime-flavored liquid or otherflavored soluble substance including but not limited to a lime-flavoredsoluble substance. The fruit portion 1702 may include a natural citrusportion, including but not limited to a natural lime wedge or slice,which may be dehydrated or otherwise preserved. The fruit portion 1702may comprise a non-soluble foam or mesh housing containing a solubleflavoring entity, such as a flavored tablet, bead or granule.

The protective covering 1701 may comprise transparent, opaque orsemi-translucent material, and may be made from any convenient,typically sanitizable, material including but not limited to plastic,foil, glass, foam, and the like. In a convenient embodiment, a portionof the protective covering 1701 comprises translucent plastic andanother portion comprises foil which can be breached to release thefruit portion 1702.

In FIG. 17B, the protective covering 1701 is shown in a second positionattached to the top of beverage vessel 1700. Such attachment maycomprise a clip, plastic wrap, shrink wrap, cling wrap, plastic film,tape, glue, adhesive, snap, Velcro, cable tie, wire, mating oroverlapping members, compressive force, friction, and the like. Forexample, the protective covering 1701 may snap onto the top of abeverage can.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of a fruit portion 1800 inside aprotective covering 1801. The protective covering 1801 may comprisetransparent, opaque or semi-translucent material, the material may berigid or flexible, and may be made from any convenient, typicallysanitizable, material including but not limited to plastic, foil, glass,foam, paper, cardboard, metal, and the like. The protective covering1801 may be vacuum-sealed plastic and may include a perforation, tearcord, Zip Lok® zipper, or any other convenient opening or sealing deviceor technique. In FIG. 18A, the protective covering 1801 comprises a ZipLok zipper with a sliding member 1803 and mating tracks 1802 which areseparated when the sliding member 1803 is moved in one direction, andare fastened together when the sliding member 1803 is moved in the otherdirection. In a convenient embodiment, a portion of the protectivecovering 1801 comprises translucent plastic and another portioncomprises foil which can be breached to release the fruit portion 1800.The fruit portion 1800 may comprise any of the artificial or naturalfruit portions described throughout this subject invention disclosure.The fruit portion 1800 may comprise a non-soluble foam or mesh housingcontaining a soluble flavoring entity, such as a flavored tablet, beador granule.

FIG. 18B is a perspective view of one or more fruit portions 1807 insidea protective covering 1805 and attached to a first embodiment 1804 of abeverage vessel carrier. In FIG. 18B, the protective covering 1805comprises a Zip Lok zipper with a sliding member 1811 and mating tracks1810. The first embodiment 1804 has holes 1806 to facilitate carrying.Such a first embodiment 1804 may be used to store and carry twelvebeverage vessels, including but not limited to beverage bottles or cans.In FIG. 18B the protective covering 1805 is shown attached to the firstembodiment 1804 of the beverage vessel carrier. Such attachment maycomprise a clip, plastic wrap, shrink wrap, cling wrap, plastic film,tape, glue, adhesive, snap, Velcro, cable tie, wire, mating members, andthe like. Any of the fruit portions 1807 may comprise a non-soluble foamor mesh housing containing a soluble flavoring entity, such as aflavored tablet, bead or granule.

FIG. 18C is a perspective view of one or more fruit portions 1814 insidea protective covering 1809 and attached to a second embodiment 1808 of abeverage vessel carrier. In FIG. 18C, the protective covering 1809comprises a Zip Lok zipper with a sliding member 1813 and mating tracks1812. Such a second embodiment 1808 may be used to store and carry sixbeverage vessels, including but not limited to beverage bottles or cans.In FIG. 18C the protective covering 1809 is shown attached to the secondembodiment 1808 of the beverage vessel carrier. Such attachment maycomprise a clip, plastic wrap, shrink wrap, cling wrap, plastic film,tape, glue, adhesive, snap, Velcro, cable tie, wire, mating members, andthe like. Any of the fruit portions 1814 may comprise a non-soluble foamor mesh housing containing a soluble flavoring entity, such as aflavored tablet, bead or granule.

FIG. 18D is a perspective view of one or more fruit portions 1819 insidea protective covering 1816 and attached to a beverage vessel 1815. InFIG. 18D, the protective covering 1816 comprises a Zip Lok zipper with asliding member 1818 and mating tracks 1817. In FIG. 18D the protectivecovering 1816 is shown attached to the beverage vessel 1815, includingbut not limited to a beverage bottle or can. Such attachment maycomprise a clip, plastic wrap, shrink wrap, cling wrap, plastic film,tape, glue, adhesive, snap, Velcro, cable tie, wire, mating members, andthe like. Any of the fruit portions 1819 may comprise a non-soluble foamor mesh housing containing a soluble flavoring entity, such as aflavored tablet, bead or granule.

As stated in the Summary Of The Invention, a protective covering maycomprise foil, plastic, fabric, glass, paper, cardboard, and the like,or any other convenient sanitizable, breachable material. The protectivecovering may be transparent, opaque or translucent. When a fruit portioncomprises a soluble material, the fruit portion may be made entirely ofsoluble material or it may be made from non-soluble foam, rubber,plastic, fabric and the like and contain the soluble material along withpores, valves, holes, mesh passageways, and the like to allow beveragevessel fluid to flow over and/or otherwise mix with the solublematerial. A convenient embodiment comprises a non-soluble foam or meshfruit wedge, including but not limited to a lime wedge or slice,comprising soluble material, including but not limited to impregnatedsoluble flavoring beads or granules, and stored in a tearable foilprotective covering adhered to a beverage bottle or can. The non-solublefoam or mesh fruit wedge may also form a housing into which one or moresoluble flavoring tablets is inserted. The housing may be elastic. Thehousing may be a sack or pouch. The housing may comprise one or morepockets for inserting flavored soluble tablets, beads or granules. Thetearable foil protective covering may have a perforation to facilitatebreaching. Typically, the tearable foil protective covering is tornopen, and the non-soluble foam or mesh fruit wedge containing the one ormore soluble tablets is removed from the tearable foil protectivecovering and dropped into, or otherwise introduced into, a beveragebottle or can. As the consumer consumes the beverage liquid, thebeverage liquid passes through the non-soluble foam or mesh fruit wedgeand over the one or more soluble tablets, thus dissolving a portion ofthe one or more soluble tablets and thereby mixing the intendedflavoring with the beverage liquid during consumption. The size, surfacearea and number of tablets may be selected based on their dissolutionrate and the amount of flavoring desired.

FIG. 19A is a cross section of an embodiment of a beverage vessel 1900in an unactivated configuration where a first fluid 1901 is separatedfrom a second fluid 1902. The beverage vessel 1900 may be a beveragecan. The first fluid 1901 may be a primary beverage liquid to beconsumed, including but not limited to beer or a soft drink, and thesecond fluid 1902 may be a liquid flavoring or other additive, includingbut not limited to a fruit flavoring or a shot of alcohol. In thebeverage vessel 1900, the second fluid 1902 is contained in a containercomprising a first surface 1904 and a second surface 1903. In thebeverage vessel 1900, the first surface 1904 comprises a portion of thetop of the beverage vessel. In the beverage vessel 1900 the secondsurface 1903 is connected to the first surface 1904 and the secondsurface 1903 comprises a portion which is breachable. The second surface1903 may comprise any convenient breachable material, including but notlimited to plastic, foil, metal, and the like.

As shown in this embodiment of the beverage vessel 1900, a portion ofthe second surface 1903 is connected to a portion of the first surface1904 at a connection location 1905. The connection may comprisefriction, pressure, mating members, locking members, adhesive, crimping,and the like. The connection may comprise one or more connection points.The connection may comprise a continuous connection region or line ofconnection.

As shown in FIG. 19A, the first surface 1904 of the embodiment of thebeverage vessel 1900 comprises a tab 1906 for breaching the beveragevessel. Such tabs are known to those skilled in the art of breachingbeverage containers such as soft drink and beer cans. Tab 1906 isconnected to the first surface 1904 by tab connector 1907. Such a tabconnector 1907 may comprise a rivet, post, screw, or any convenientconnection means. When the tab 1906 is lifted away from the firstsurface 1904, tab end 1908 presses against a breachable portion 1909 ofthe first surface 1904 causing a breach in the first surface 1904 wherethe breachable portion 1909 includes the breach point 1910. The breachpoint 1910 may comprise a score that facilitates the breach.

FIG. 19B is a cross section of the embodiment of the beverage vessel1900 of FIG. 19A which is now in an activated configuration for mixingthe first fluid 1901 with the second fluid 1902. In FIG. 19B the tab isnow in an activated tab configuration 1911 where the tab connector is inan activated tab-connector configuration 1912, and the tab end 1908 isin contact with the breachable portion which is now in an activatedbreachable-portion configuration 1913. This activated breachable-portionconfiguration 1913 causes the breachable portion to breach the secondsurface, producing a third surface 1916 and a fourth surface 1915 and agap between them where the second fluid 1902 may pass into and mix withthe first fluid 1901 at a mixing location 1914.

Thus, when a consumer desires to consume the first fluid 1901 and secondfluid 1902 and breaches the beverage vessel 1900 using the tab 1906, thesecond surface 1903 of the container comprising the second fluid 1902 isalso breached, allowing the first fluid 1901 and second fluid 1902 tomix prior to consumption.

FIG. 20A is a cross section of an embodiment of a beverage vessel 2000in an unactivated configuration where a first fluid 2001 is separatedfrom a second fluid 2002. The beverage vessel 2000 may be a beveragecan. The first fluid 2001 may be a primary beverage liquid to beconsumed, including but not limited to beer or a soft drink, and thesecond fluid 2002 may be a liquid flavoring or other additive, includingbut not limited to a fruit flavoring or a shot of alcohol. In thebeverage vessel 2000, the second fluid 2002 is contained in a containercomprising a first surface 2006, a second surface 2005 and a sidesurface 2003. In the beverage vessel 2000, the first surface 2006comprises a portion of the top of the beverage vessel. In the beveragevessel 2000 the second surface 2005 is connected to the side surface2003 which is attached to the first surface 2006. The second surface2005 comprises a portion which is breachable. The second surface 2005may comprise any convenient breachable material, including but notlimited to plastic, foil, metal, and the like. The side surface 2003 maybe a circular ring to which a circular second surface 2005 is attached.

As shown in this embodiment of the beverage vessel 2000, a portion ofthe side surface 2003 is connected to a portion of the first surface2006 at a connection location 2011. The connection may comprisefriction, pressure, mating members, locking members, adhesive, crimping,and the like. The connection may comprise one or more connection points.The connection may comprise a continuous connection region or line ofconnection.

Between the first surface 2006 and second surface 2005 is a breachingmember 2012 with a breaching member contact point 2014 and a breachingsurface 2013. The breaching surface 2013 may comprise a pointed end, asharp edge, and the like for breaching the second surface 2005. Abreaching-member mount 2004 of the breaching member 2012 may beconnected to the beverage vessel 2000 at connection location 2011 in asimilar manner as the first surface 2006 and side surface 2003 areconnected at connection location 2011. Typically, the breaching member2012 is capable of flexing relative to the breaching-member mount 2004.When the side surface 2003 is a circular ring, it may comprise thebreaching-member mount 2004.

As shown in FIG. 20A, the first surface 2006 of the embodiment of thebeverage vessel 2000 comprises a tab 2007 for breaching the beveragevessel. Such tabs are known to those skilled in the art of breachingbeverage containers such as soft drink and beer cans. Tab 2007 isconnected to the first surface 2006 by tab connector 2008. Such a tabconnector 2008 may comprise a rivet, post, screw, or any convenientconnection means. When the tab 2007 is lifted away from the firstsurface 2006, tab end 2015 presses against a breachable portion 2009 ofthe first surface 2006 causing a breach in the first surface 2006 wherethe breachable portion 2009 includes the breach point 2010. The breachpoint 2010 may comprise a score that facilitates the breach.

FIG. 20B is a cross section of the embodiment of the beverage vessel2000 of FIG. 20A which is now in an activated configuration for mixingthe first fluid 2001 with the second fluid 2002. In FIG. 20B the tab isnow in an activated tab configuration 2016 where the tab connector is inan activated tab-connector configuration 2022, and the tab end 2015 isin contact with the breachable portion which is now in an activatedbreachable-portion configuration 2017. This activated breachable-portionconfiguration 2017 causes the breachable portion to press against thebreaching member contact point 2014 causing the breaching member to takeon an activated breaching-member configuration 2018 where the breachingsurface takes on an activated breaching-surface configuration 2013 andbreaches the second surface, producing a third surface 2020 and a fourthsurface 2019 and a gap between them where the second fluid 2002 may passinto and mix with the first fluid 2001 at a mixing location 2021.

Thus, when a consumer desires to consume the first fluid 2001 and secondfluid 2002 and breaches the beverage vessel 2000 using the tab 2007, thesecond surface 2005 of the container comprising the second fluid 2002 isalso breached, allowing the first fluid 2001 and second fluid 2002 tomix prior to consumption.

FIG. 21 is a cross section plan view of a fruit portion comprising anon-soluble housing 2100 containing a soluble flavoring entity 2105,including but not limited to one or more flavored tablets, beads,granules, and the like, where the non-soluble housing 2100 is stored ina protective covering 2106. The non-soluble housing 2100 may be elastic.In general, the non-soluble housing 2100 may comprise non-soluble foam,rubber, plastic, fabric, and the like. The non-soluble housing 2100 maycomprise pores 2108, valves, holes, mesh passageways, and the like toallow beverage liquid from a beverage vessel to flow over and/orotherwise mix with the soluble flavoring entity 2105. In general, theprotective covering 2106 may comprise foil, plastic, metalized plastic,fabric, glass, paper, cardboard, and the like, or any other convenientsanitizable, breachable material. The protective covering 2106 may betransparent, opaque or translucent.

FIG. 21 presents a convenient embodiment of a fruit portion comprising anon-soluble housing 2100 which is a non-soluble foam or mesh housing inthe image of a fruit wedge, including but not limited to a lime wedge orslice. In this embodiment, to help the fruit portion take on the imageof a natural lime, the non-soluble housing 2100 comprises an outer layer2102, an intermediate layer 2103 and an inner region 2101, where eachlayer and region has similarities to the corresponding portions of anatural lime.

In the embodiment of FIG. 21, the inner region 2101 of the non-solublehousing 2100 comprises a retaining region 2104 for retaining the solubleflavoring entity 2105, including but not limited to one or more solubleflavoring tablets, beads, granules, and the like. Alternately, theflavoring entity 2105 may comprise flavored granules impregnated intothe non-soluble housing 2100. The retaining region 2104 may comprise asack, pouch, cavity, one or more pockets, and the like for inserting thesoluble flavoring entity 2105.

The non-soluble housing 2100 is stored in a protective covering 2106,which in the embodiment of FIG. 21, is a tearable protective coveringcomprising foil and/or plastic. The protective covering 2106 may beadhered to, or otherwise associated with, the beverage vessel, includingbut not limited to a beverage bottle or can. In this embodiment, theprotective covering 2106 comprises a perforation 2107 to facilitatebreaching. Typically, the protective covering 2106 is torn open, and thenon-soluble housing 2100 containing the soluble flavoring entity 2105 isremoved from the protective covering 2106 and dropped into, pushed into,inserted into, or otherwise introduced into, a beverage vessel,including but not limited to a bottle or can. The non-soluble housing2100 is typically larger in dimension than the opening in the beveragevessel from which the beverage liquid is consumed. If the non-solublehousing 2100 is elastic, it can be compressed during insertion into thebeverage vessel. Once inside the beverage vessel, an elastic non-solublehousing 2100 will return to its uncompressed dimension, thus preventingit from leaving the beverage vessel during consumption of the beverageliquid.

As the consumer consumes the beverage liquid from the beverage vessel,the beverage liquid passes through the non-soluble housing 2100 and overthe soluble flavoring entity 2105, thus dissolving a portion of thesoluble flavoring entity 2105 and thereby mixing the intended flavoringwith the beverage liquid during consumption. When the soluble flavoringentity 2105 comprises one or more flavored tablets, beads or granules,the size, surface area, shape, texture and number of the flavoredtablets, beads or granules may be selected based on their dissolutionrate, the amount of flavoring desired, and the like.

All publications and patent applications cited in this specification areherein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication orpatent application were specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated by reference.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changesand modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spiritor scope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for storing a soluble substance with a beverage vesselcontaining a liquid and mixing said soluble substance with said liquid,said apparatus comprising: a dispensing unit comprising a breachablecontainer for containing said soluble substance and a foam enclosureenclosing at least a portion of said breachable container, and acontainer support removably in contact with said beverage vessel or saiddispensing unit is held by pressure in said beverage vessel, whereinsaid foam enclosure controls the rate of release of said solublesubstance upon breaching of said breachable container.
 2. An apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said foam enclosure is the shape and colorof a portion of a natural lemon or lime, said soluble substance is lemonor lime juice or has lemon or lime flavoring and said liquid is beer,water or tea.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 further including acap and a beverage vessel, wherein said shape of said foam enclosure isthe shape of a portion of a natural lime, said dispensing unit isseparably connected to said attachment member and said beverage vesselis glass or plastic.
 4. An apparatus for storing a soluble substancewith a beverage vessel containing a liquid and mixing said solublesubstance with said liquid, said apparatus comprising: a dispensing unitcomprising a breachable container for containing said soluble substanceand a foam enclosure enclosing at least a portion of said breachablecontainer, and an attachment member connected to said dispensing unitfor breaching or retrieving said dispensing unit or maintaining saiddispensing unit at a predetermined elevation in said beverage vesselwhen said beverage vessel is in a substantially vertical orientation,wherein said foam enclosure controls the rate of release of said solublesubstance upon breaching of said breachable container.
 5. An apparatusaccording to claim 4 wherein said vessel is a bottle and said dispensingunit and said attachment member are proportioned to be supported in theneck of said beverage bottle above said liquid and not in contact withsaid liquid when said beverage bottle is in a substantially verticalorientation.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising acap for sealing said beverage vessel.
 7. An apparatus according to claim6 wherein said cap secures said attachment member to said beveragevessel.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said attachmentmember has a loop or disk for retrieving said dispensing unit when saidcap is removed from said beverage vessel, said loop or disk secured tosaid beverage vessel by said cap.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 6wherein said attachment member is affixed to said cap.
 10. An apparatusaccording to claim 6 wherein said attachment member is separablyconnected to said dispensing unit or said cap.
 11. An apparatusaccording to claim 10 wherein said attachment member and said breachablecontainer are a single member said single member comprises a scored areafor separating or said breachable container fits into a cavity of saidattachment member.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein saidbreachable container is separably connected to said attachment member.13. An apparatus for storing a soluble substance with a beverage bottlecontaining a liquid and mixing said soluble substance with said liquid,said apparatus comprising: a beverage bottle having a neck; a dispensingunit in said neck comprising a breachable container for containing saidsoluble substance and a foam enclosure enclosing at least a portion ofsaid breachable container, a container support removably in contact withsaid beverage vessel or said dispensing unit is held by pressure in saidbeverage vessel, wherein said foam enclosure when connected to saidsupport is separable from said support and controls the rate of releaseof said soluble substance upon breaching of said breachable container;and a cap sealing said beverage bottle.
 14. An apparatus according toclaim 13 further comprising an attachment member connected to saiddispensing unit for breaching or retrieving said dispensing unit ormaintaining said dispensing unit at a predetermined elevation in saidbeverage bottle when said beverage bottle is in a substantially verticalorientation.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein saidbeverage bottle contains beer, tea or water and said soluble substanceis a lime or lemon flavored liquid.
 16. An apparatus according to claim13, wherein said dispensing unit is the shape of a portion of a naturallime and said soluble substance is lime flavored and said liquid isbeer.
 17. An apparatus for storing a soluble substance with a beveragebottle containing a liquid and mixing said soluble substance with saidliquid, said apparatus comprising: a beverage bottle having a neck; adispensing unit outside and attached to said beverage bottle, saiddispensing unit comprising a breachable container for containing saidsoluble substance and a foam enclosure enclosing at least a portion ofsaid breachable container, a container support removably in contact withsaid beverage vessel or said dispensing unit is held by pressure in saidbeverage vessel, wherein said foam enclosure, when connected to saidsupport is separable from said support and controls the rate of releaseof said soluble substance upon breaching of said breachable container;and a cap sealing said beverage bottle.
 18. An apparatus according toclaim 17, wherein said dispensing unit is the shape of a portion of anatural lime and said soluble substance is lime flavored and said liquidis beer.
 19. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said dispensingunit is attached by means of a plastic film, clip, mating member oradhesive.
 20. A method for mixing a soluble substance into a liquidemploying an apparatus comprising: a beverage vessel containing saidliquid; a dispensing unit attached to said beverage vessel andcomprising a breachable container containing said soluble substance anda foam enclosure enclosing at least a portion of said breachablecontainer; and a cap sealing said beverage vessel; said methodcomprising: removing said cap from said beverage vessel; breaching saidbreachable container whereby said soluble substance is liberated; andintroducing said soluble substance into said liquid through said foamenclosure.
 21. A method according to claim 20, wherein said foamenclosure controls the rate of release of said soluble substance uponbreaching of said breachable container and said introducing comprisesinserting said breachable container into said beverage vessel afterbreaching.
 22. A method according to claim 20, wherein said foamenclosure is the shape and color of a portion of a natural lemon orlime.